Definition
独善其身 is a four-character idiom (成语) from Mencius, literally 'to cultivate one's own moral character alone.' In modern usage it often carries a negative connotation — focusing only on your own well-being or moral purity while ignoring others' needs or social responsibilities. You'll hear it in contexts of social criticism, describing someone who 'looks after number one' or stays in their own bubble.
f.e.
to look after one's own moral cultivation (original classical sense)(derogatory) to be self-absorbedto care only about oneself and ignore others
Examples
- ，独善其身，。Zài zhège shèhuì lǐ, wǒmen bùnéng zhǐ dú shàn jī, yě yào guānxīn tārén.In this society, we can't just look after ourselves — we also need to care about others.
- 独善其身。Tā nà zhǒng dú shàn jī de tàidu ràng tóngshìmen hěn bùmǎn.His self-absorbed attitude made his colleagues very unhappy.
- ，独善其身。Rújiā sīxiǎng qiángdiào xiūshēn qíjiā zhìguó píng tiānxià, ér bú shì dú shàn jī.Confucian thought emphasizes cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world — not just looking after oneself.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.